As Catholics, we prepare for Christmas by celebrating the season of Advent in the four weeks preceding Christmas. We hear John the Baptist, echoing the words of the prophets of Israel, call us to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord in our own lives now, and to look for the fulfillment of his kingdom in the future.

In our culture, the observance of Christmas begins in mid-October or even earlier, as stores put out their holiday displays.

But the calendar Catholics live and celebrate by is different from the secular world's. When we let our faith and the ancient wisdom and tradition of the Church center us as we plan, schedule, and organize our time, we're celebrating Christmas as Catholics.

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